1.) I feel this is true. Are there tricks it can do I am not aware of, probably because I am new to Carrara. 2. OpenGL could be better, however, I am betting a patch with bug fixes will help improve this.Actually DAZ Studio has an awesome opengl preview. 3.Physics? There are some things missing here, but depends on what you compare it to.(fur, hair, cloth)these are things that can give you trouble.They are not difficult to use tho. Someone who has used physics more can comment further. 4.yes and weight painting(pro)

No need to think outside the box....
    Just make it invisible.